AAT rejects application by former tax agent following TPB termination

AAT rejects application by former tax agent following TPB termination

Today the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) rejected an application by a former tax agent, Mr Vanda Gould, to stay a Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) decision to terminate his registration with the maximum five-year exclusion.

In December 2018 the TPB found that Mr Gould ceased to meet the fit and proper person requirements in the law, following on from findings highly critical of him in a decision of the Federal Court of Australia. (Hua Wang Bank v Commissioner of Taxation [2014] FCA 1392)

In response to Mr Gould’s application to stay the decision, the TPB tended evidence in relation to an ATO investigation named Operation Rubix, which AAT Deputy President Molloy noted was:

‘… concerned with the use of multi-layered off-shore structures based in the UK, Cayman Islands, Bahamas, Samoa and elsewhere by Mr Gould, his associates and clients of his former accounting firm, Gould Ralph, to avoid Australian taxation and to accumulate wealth off-shore.’

‘…the public interest favours refusing a stay in light of the serious implications of the Applicant’s conduct, as found by the Federal Court, for the revenue, the integrity of Australian tax laws, the standing of the tax profession within the community, and the ability of the Commissioner of Taxation to discharge his statutory functions.’

The AAT referred to the Federal Court decision in Hua Wang which pointed to “sustained, calculated and layered dishonesty”, including describing Mr Gould’s conduct as “disgraceful”.

‘This decision by the AAT reminds tax practitioners of their position of trust in the Australian community,’ Mr O’Neill said.

‘Where the TPB identifies a serious risk to clients, the public or to revenue, we will act to support the public interest.

‘The TPB is taking a firm approach to support honest taxpayers and their advisers by terminating those agents who fail their legal and ethical responsibilities. This year we have already terminated the registrations of 70 tax practitioners,’ he said.

About the Tax Practitioners Board:

The TPB regulates tax practitioners in order to protect consumers. The TPB aims to assure the community that tax practitioners meet appropriate standards of professional and ethical conduct. Follow us on Twitter @TPB_gov_au and LinkedIn.